Four men, three mountains and 24 hours

  • Published
  • By Karen Abeyasekere
  • 100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs
RAF MILDENHALL, England --  Four local British employees will be moving mountains Oct. 2 to 3 when they take part in the Three Peaks Challenge - climbing Ben Nevis, Scotland, Mount Snowdon, Wales, and Scaffell Pike, England in 24 hours. 

Three of the men - Alan Coldwell, Jerry Myles and Chris Gould - are British Defence Fire Service firefighters stationed at RAF Mildenhall; the fourth, Simon Dowding, was previously at RAF Mildenhall for 12 years, but now works at RAF Wattisham in the same occupation. 

The four decided to work as a team to do the challenge and at the same time raise money for various charities which they all have some kind of personal association with. 

Mr. Coldwell is raising money for a well know children's hospital where his daughter had a major operation last year. Mr. Myles is doing the challenge for a cancer charity as both his parents have cancer; Mr. Gould is donating his money to a special-needs school his autistic son attends in Norfolk. 

Mr. Dowding will donate his proceeds to all three charities. 

While many people's first thought for a way to raise money may be something along the lines of a sponsored car wash or 5K run, the four decided they would do the Three Peaks Challenge instead. 

"We were looking for something quite hard, which we could do outdoors, and which would be a team event," said Mr. Coldwell. 

His co-climbers agreed. 

"It's quite a well-known challenge, and these are all famous mountains," said Mr. Gould. "It's something we'll be able to look back on and say, 'I've done that' - it's quite an achievement." 

None of the men have ever climbed mountains before, but haven't let that put them off, especially as they have their own personal mountain guide to help them on their expedition. 

Because of the lack of mountains in this area, the four have been running at home and using the gym to train, as well as constantly walking up and down the stairs of the air traffic control tower to increase their fitness. 

Dave Wainwright, 100th Force Support Squadron Outdoor Recreation, is a qualified mountain guide and expedition leader, and will be accompanying them on the trip. 

"The weather can close in a lot quicker this time of year, and it's quite easy to get lost, which is why you need somebody who knows what they are doing," Mr. Coldwell said. 

They are renting a vehicle and all necessary equipment from outdoor recreation, but they plan to travel light during the actual climbs. 

"Up the mountains we'll just be carrying a rucksack each, with plenty of fluids and high-energy snacks," said Mr. Gould, adding they would replenish their stocks each time they got back to the van. 

"The worst thing is going to be sleep deprivation," Mr. Coldwell said. "Trying to sleep on the van while you're travelling, and your body seizing up because it thinks it has finished, but you're still in the minibus, cramped up - and then you've got to get out and do it all again." 

They say it will take them around five hours to climb and get back down each mountain, but are trying to cover all three within 14 hours - which leaves just 10 hours travel time. 

The clock starts when they reach their first mountain, Ben Nevis, Scotland. 

They'll then work their way down to Scaffell Pike in the Lake District, then travel over to Mount Snowdon in Wales. The clock stops when they make it to the peak of Mount Snowdon, but they said their goal is to make it back to the bottom within the 24-hour deadline. 

Eager with anticipation, they're all looking forward to the beginning - and the end - of their climb. 

Mr. Myles says he's looking forward to finishing the adventure in one piece and Mr. Gould is looking forward to the sense of achievement. 

"We just want all of us to get through this, with no injuries, all starting and all finishing," Mr. Coldwell said. "And we want to raise as much money as possible by doing this." 

Editor's note: For more information on hiking trips, visit Outdoor Recreation in Building 162, or call DSN 238-4283. For more information on the climb, call DSN 238-2763.